Scoliosis is one of the spinal curvature disorders that affect people all over the world, and some home remedies include oregano, thyme, peppermint, kale, alfalfa, sitting less, stretching more, losing weight, and regular exercise.
Natural Ways To Relieve Scoliosis Pain
Home remedies for scoliosis include:
Sitting Less
When we sit down for long periods of time, our posture tends to suffer. The top of our back hunches over, our shoulders cave in, and we put excess stress on our spine and vertebrae. Unfortunately, standing for long periods of time can increase tension and strain on the spine as well. If you suffer from the spinal curvature disorder of kyphosis, you should remain active and mobile, not hunching your shoulders over while sitting (worsening the condition), nor standing for long periods. Lordosis and scoliosis are less affected by sitting, but sufferers of those disorders report that standing evenly on both legs does reduce back pain. [1]
Backache mainly occurs due to incorrect posture. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Kale
Kale might not be the most appetizing form of greens, but it is packed with important minerals that can significantly strengthen bone mass, namely by boosting the production of collagen, which the body needs to create muscle, tissue and bone, as well as bind those elements together. Adding kale to your diet can increase your overall bone density and prevent brittleness. When combined with a back brace or other force-oriented therapies for spinal curvature disorders, this dietary choice can help speed the process, helping the spine bend back in shape faster. [2]
Losing Weight
Obesity does not help with the severity or discomfort of spinal curvature disorders. This unnecessary weight puts excess strain on your spine and vertebrae, making your condition even worse, and making it much more difficult to correct. Losing weight through a proper diet and exercise is an important foundation before more formal treatments can be helpful in relieving these disorders. [3]
Alfalfa
The high concentration of vitamin K found in alfalfa helps the body tightly connect bone cells and improve bone density, along with a number of other minerals found in this unassuming plant. With stronger bones, the treatments and physical therapy to reverse or moderate the effects of scoliosis can be improved and sped up. Scoliosis is not as reversible as the other two forms of spinal curvature disorder, and tends to get chronically worse over time. Therefore, moderating therapies to slow down the progression are important, combined with a mineral-rich diet. [4]
Stretching More
Your shoulders and hip flexors are seriously affected by spinal curvature disorders, and can be major sources of pain, either due to poor posture, hunched shoulders, or constant compensation for a crooked spine. By using resistance bands to strengthen your hip flexors and shoulder muscles, you can prevent the inflammation and pain that often accompanies these conditions. [5]
Oregano
Oregano has a naturally anti-inflammatory and soothing effect on the body, which also helps the muscles that surround the spine relax, thus reducing pain and allowing more flexibility in that area of the body. Rubbing in essential oil of oregano has been known as a remedy for scoliosis pain, and may actually improve the chances of being able to straighten the spine, due to the many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the essential oil. [6]
Peppermint and Thyme
It has been found that the slow buildup of microbes in the spine of someone suffering from scoliosis can exacerbate or speed up the process of spine malformation. Peppermint and thyme oils are wonderful natural antibiotics that can be rubbed directly on the spine or area of inflammation to boost your immune system and eliminate that gradual buildup of pathogens that can compromise your spinal integrity. [7]
Exercise
While spinal curvature disorders can be painful, limiting, or even debilitating, it is important to engage in regular exercise, both to keep yourself in good physical shape, but also to improve circulation and strength throughout the body, particularly the back and spine. Exercising your core can help improve lordosis, while general resistance training and cardiovascular workouts can benefits your overall health and make your body more receptive to treatment and therapy to straighten your spine. [8]
A Final Word of Warning: Spinal curvature disorders range greatly in terms of severity and speed of progression, but consulting with a medical professional, physical therapist, or chiropractor is always recommended. Many of these home remedies should be done in conjunction with a doctor’s more formal suggestions for braces, surgery, or medication.
